Mary W. Watson

Mary Wenzel Watson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2024, in Athens, Georgia. She was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin, to Theresa and Rudolph Wenzel and graduated from Marshfield Senior High School. She went on to stenographer school and worked for the Wood County Welfare Office in Marshfield until she met the love of her life, Donald Watson, in Minneapolis on a New Year's Eve blind date, and they were married nine months later on September 20, 1952. 

They began married life in Minneapolis, where she worked at a large financial firm, but after their first daughter, Terese, was born, she devoted herself to motherhood. They moved to Detroit, Michigan, for a short time, and then to Wheaton, Illinois, where Susan was born. The family moved to Atlanta in 1963, where Mary and Don remained for over 50 years. 

Mary was a devout member of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church and enjoyed singing in the choir. She traveled with the choir to Italy in 1990, where they sang for Pope Paul II. She faithfully served as a volunteer for many years at the North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) Thrift Shop every Tuesday. 

In 2015 Mary and Don moved to Athens to be closer to their grandchildren and enjoyed the small town life. When Don passed away in 2019, Mary continued to live independently in her home until her death at age 96. She lived a life of devotion, faithfulness, and quiet strength. She will be buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Theresa and Rudolph Wenzel; husband, Donald Watson; sisters Ruth Wenzel and Margaret "Marge" Eggebrecht; brothers Richard Wenzel and John Wenzel. Survivors include her daughters, Terese Crane (Tom), Susan Shaw; grandchildren, Mary Krutoy (Jeff), Janie Crane, Ross Crane (Lauren); great grandchildren, Mason Dyer, Watson Crane, Wildes Crane, Cohen Krutoy, Nora Krutoy, Willa Crane; brother, Frederick "Fritz" Wenzel; many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to North Fulton Community Charities (NFCChelp.org) or the American Cancer Society.